Thompson, Facey, Smith, Forbes and Williams advance

Reigning Olympic 100m champion, Elaine Thompson, led an impressive list to advance on Day 1 of the 2017 JAAA Puma National Senior Championship at the National Stadium in Kingston. The three-day championship, which started on June 22, concludes on Sunday June 25. Thompson posted a time of 11.02 seconds (-1.3m/s) to win her heats in the 100m; she advances to the next round. Simone Facey (11.22), Jonielle Smith (11.23), Shashalee Forbes (11.34) and Christania Williams (11.23) will all join Thompson in the next round. Former NCAA 100m champion Remona Burchell (11.35), Jura Levy (11.36) and Schillone Calvert-Powell (11.26) also advance.

There are reports that Thompson will not compete in the upcoming 200m race at these championships which led to speculations that she will pursue only the 100m at the World Championship later this summer. Sprint queen Veronica Campbell-Brown (VCB) and Kerron Stewart were two big names who failed to advance to the next round of the women’s 100m. Stewart and VCB have both sustained injuries, and it was reported that VCB has withdrawn from the Championship and will not be competing in the 200m either.

Forte, Blake, Powell advance

On the men's side, Julian Forte ran the fastest time of 10.14 seconds (-0.8m/s) to lead a list of impressive qualifiers in the men’s 100m. Forte who has a lifetime best 10.03 seconds in the 100m will be joined by Odean Skeen (10.17), Yohan Blake (10.21), Asafa Powell (10.22) and Jevaughn Minzie (10.22). Skeen is coming of an impressive season at the Auburn University, making it all the way to the NCAA Championship.

Blake, who has a lifetime best 9.69 seconds in the 100m, is rounding into shape after working through injuries over the past few seasons and posting 9.93 (+0.4m/s) at the Jamaica Invitational on May 20. Kemar Bailey-Cole failed to advance to the next round as he sustained an injury during his race and was carted off the track.

Mowatt and Tracey advance to 400m hurdles finals

Kemar Mowatt, formerly of Munro College, posted the fastest time of 49.43 seconds in the men’s 400m hurdles heading into the finals. Mowatt has been somewhat of a pleasant revelation this season after posting a lifetime best time of 48.49 seconds on June 9, in Eugene, Oregon. Mowatt’s time of 48.49 is well below the qualifying standard of 49.35 seconds. Former world junior champion Jaheel Hyde posted a time of 49.46 seconds to advance to the finals. Hyde, who ran a season best 48.52 seconds at the Jamaica Invitational on May 20, also met the qualifying standards. Also advancing are Shawn Rowe (49.50), Ricardo Cunningham (49.54) and Roxroy Cato (49.69). Veteran Leford Green and Annsert Whyte failed to advance to the finals.

Ristananna Tracey (54.56 seconds) advances to the finals of the women’s 400m hurdles. She will be joined by her sister Nikita Tracey (55.01), Janieve Russell (54.91), Leah Nugent (54.90) and Kaliese Spencer (55.38).

Clive Pullen books ticket to London

Clive Pullen, a student at the University for Arkansas, leap 16.83m to capture the men’s triple jump title ahead of Wilbert Walker (16.02m) and Clayton Brown (15.97m); in doing so, he booked his ticket to London. Pullen leap of 16.83m surpassed the World Championship triple jump standard of 16.80m. Cullen has just concluded a very successful season on the collegiate circuit where he took 2nd place at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor championships.

Edited by Raymond Byfield

Shericka Jackson picture taken by O'Neil A. Reid at the 2017 Penn Relays